Have You Heard of Yellow Dog UK?
I am sharing this as we used a yellow ribbon with Sally and I believe more should know about the initiative and what Yellow Dog UK is.
Yellow Dog UK was originally developed by Eva Oliversson, a certified dog behaviourist and trainer based in Sweden back in June 2012. She discovered a dog trainer in Australia had been using yellow ribbons to signify that a dog needed space. It was the answer that Eva had been working towards – she knew if a dog felt safe and secure and was given its own space, it could create an incredible impact within training and socialisation.
Eva contacted a group of people around the world in various dog related industries to host the campaign in their respective countries. At the time, Alison Gibson-Starke and her partner had been running a dog boarding agency, and as soon as Yellow Dogs message came to their doorstep, they understood instantly the charities mission and knew that she had to be a part of that change.
Alison is now the Yellow Dog UK Ambassador who dedicates her work towards widening the message dogs need their rightful space. She had herself experienced a life with a nervous dog who had been previously attacked in a local park. Before the incident, he was a loving, playful pooch, but following the attack had become petrified of other dogs and was not comfortable around male individuals.
It was a long road of dedication, both physically and emotionally for her pup, but Alison knew that she would have to rebuild his confidence and learn how to re-socialise him, which was exactly when she noticed that he needed his own space to do just that.
Some Dogs Need Space
Some Dogs Need Space – it seems such a simple message! The Yellow Dog family believes that making yellow an accepted representation throughout the UK will benefit so many, and will allow for dog walking to be a more enjoyable and safer experience for all, and in turn, and most importantly, give each dog a better quality of life.
Over the last ten years, Yellow Dog has grown considerably in both size and impact. As they exhibit at major events, including Crufts, they are now supported and sponsored by relevant councils, vets, dog trainers and police forces, including Humberside Police, Centre of Applied Pet Ethology, National Association of Pet Sitters, and Dog Walkers (NARPS), British Dog Fields, Heal The Dog, Dog First Aid Merseyside as well as many others.
With their mission to share the importance of allowing each dog and their owner to go on their walks comfortably and calmly, their mantra has rung true to a multitude of dog lovers all over the country. Though simplistic in its messaging, The Yellow Dog motto can be easily infiltrated into all of our dog walking routines!
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Looking after our four legged friends is so important, they trust us to keep them safe and, if using the yellow ribbon helps then it’s our duty to use it.
I’ve never heard of Yellow Dog UK but it sounds like a really good cause!
It is fantastic isn’t, just needs to get out there more as it is such an important sign to notice I think.
Thanks for sharing this, I did not know of this before but it’s a great idea.
It is a really good idea and hopefully, it will help so many pets and their people.
This really interesting and I’ve never heard of yellow dog before.
My dog is 15 now and needs a little space.
Oh bless him what an age, they definitely seem to love their own space more as they grow older.
Amazing charity to help dogs who need space. Very well done!
It really is – I do hope it helps people and dogs around the UK.
I have never heard of this before but it sounds like a good thing to have if your dog needs space
Definitely – I hope more people will come to see it and understand it as it can really help a dog and their owner.
Very interesting article. I have never heard about this before and i am glad i have now discovered this. I will now be able to distinguish dogs who need space when on my walks with my own fur babies.
I am so glad it has helped get the word out about them a bit – it really is such a good scheme.
I think this needs to be more widely publicised. Those of us who don’t have dogs may not understand the significance of the yellow.
They are definitely trying to get the word out there more about what it is all about and the meaning of yellow on dogs.
I have never heard of this before, but what a clever idea!
It is such a good idea – I love that it is so simple to implement as well.
No I haven’t heard of this, but what an amazing idea, Dogs like people need their space too
Exactly – we used to use a yellow ribbon with Sally and it is so nice to see the campaign growing.
I haven’t heard of Yellow Dog before but what a wonderful idea.
It is great isn’t it – definitely something people need to know about it as the more people know, the easier it will be for these dogs to be given space.
Wow this is an amazing idea! I’ve never heard of anything like this before and it’s such an effective way to get the message across
It really is and it doesn’t cost a lot – you can buy the leads or just use a yellow ribbon which is great and makes it so accessible.
I had never heard of yellow Dog UK, but I think it is a great idea!
I’m so glad everyone is thinking it’s a good idea and hopefully getting the word out a bit more!
I have heard of the yellow ribbon and lead but I didn’t know there was an organisation behind it. My dog could definitely benefit because she loves people but can get overwhelmed.
Oh bless her – it sounds like something that could definitely help her then!
I hadn’t heard of Yellow Dog, but I fully agree. There’s a dog I watch on Tiktok and her owner has “nervous dog do not pet” on her leash because she becomes anxious when strangers approach her. I can see how though, imagine being constantly approached by people and we would understand more than they would
Definitely, it is such a good idea – it amazes me the way some people do approach dogs. I love given dogs a pet and hello when I’m out but I always ask owners before I approach, yet some thing its nothing to run towards dogs and throw their arms around them.
No this is new to me – I wonder though if it would be misinterpreted as this dog is dangerous?
I guess it could do if people don’t understand what it means, but that’s what spreading awareness is about, helping people learn what is meant by things.
It is amazing what a yellow ribbon can do with such little said. I did not know about this at all so next time I see a yellow ribbon or harness on a dog, I will make sure I give it space
It’s great isn’t it – I love that there are becoming known ways to help dogs enjoy their time out more.
No, but I am aware of the same significance of usually a yellow harness and sometimes another yellow bandana
Yes, this would be similar – they would be yellow in any form, you can have a look at the website and they sell things like leads etc..